What do we do? Our neighbours are recording us in our front garden through their security cameras. Their cameras are faced across our property and they have indicated that they watch us while we are outside, through the security system. The lady has commented to say that she has seen us look in the directions of her cameras and can inform us what we’re doing at the time. Our children often play out there within our yard too (supervised) and the thought of them being recorded is unsettling.
We are unsure why they are doing this other than some leaves dropping from our hedges, onto their driveway. Our hedges are evergreen so drop minimal leaves. The neighbours also extended their driveway into our property boundaries and into our garden bed (hence the leaves dropping onto their driveway when they do drop). The leaves dropping onto their driveway has caused some tense conflict with the neighbours, the man has resulted in aggressive behaviour about it and told us to live in the bush if we want to have a garden (his behaviour in regards to this is bizarre and over the top). Our garden is very well maintained, tidy and clean. We are unsure why they are being so aggressive and rude as we generally keep to ourselves, are civil to them and get along with all of our other surrounding neighbours. They have caused harm for other people in our street too and also the surrounding streets by calling the rspca, child services and making police calls (all found to be false allegations) and also allegations made against my husband in regards to his work (also found to be false allegations). These neighbours are a nuisance and with a lack of respect for authority and other people.
Has anyone experienced a similar situation? Can anything be done about the security cameras recording us on our own property? They do not have a sign to indicate that they have security cameras.
Any helpful advice will be appreciated. Thanks.
EDIT - One commenter mentions to keep our kids in our backyard to stop the neighbours watching. We have seen the neighbour intentionally look over our back fence.
11 Replies
How do you know it's them that are making false reports about ppl? Why don't you ask them what their problem is if you're not sure why they are doing this, then go from there. Sounds like it's not about a few leaves dropping.
We have asked them what the issue is and they have said it’s about the leaves. Very bizzare. They have spoken to other neighbours about the reports that they have made about different neighbours. Before there was any conflict between them and us, they had openly boasted about their behaviour to us also.
I’m pretty sure front yards are fair game. There is no expectation of privacy in a front yard. Backyard is a whole other story.
Hi, I’m not sure what country you’re located in. However this is a link I found regarding it in Australia.
https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/your-privacy-rights/surveillance-and-mon...
Was your garden on the property boundary?
Maybe they are home all day and bored so finding issues and you are an easy target.
Our garden is within our boundary. We maintained it on the side that edged their property as well as our own and would clear all trimmings too. We do the same with lawn clippings (blow any clippings off of their driveway) but we don’t feel comfortable approaching onto the property anymore. Before we mowed our lawns ourselves, the lady abused the lawn mower man for clearing clippings off her driveway with a leaf blower. She seems to watch constantly. Thanks for your help :) We are in WA.
Security cameras nearly always face outwards? Ours do
They sound petty and annoying. My advice is build a fence! Our council let's us have up to 1.8 metre high fence to the boundary line. We are rural though so that's probably a higher allowance than civic councils. Find out how high you can build front side fences and put one up, they will have to pay half. That will stop leaves dropping in their driveway, it will hopefully block the camera and it will reclaim the part of the driveway they stole. Nearly all your problems solved 👍
If you can't get a high fence consider putting in some taller hedges and put some kind of screen up to stop their view temporarily. A large box trailer or a caravan if you have one,
Love the fence idea hehe
My nice neighbours recently had a similar issue with our crazy neighbours.
The neighbours causing the issues are simply irrational, they're retired so I partly think they just have nothing better to do than bitch and moan about things that are non issues.
The nice neighbours had to put in a big ol fence, it was about all they could do for a bit of reprieve.
We had similar neighbours, they used to record us. Our other neighbour was a police officer, asked him and unfortunately they are allowed to record so long as it’s not directed into private rooms ie bedroom / bathroom. He did say if it made the kids uneasy or concerns it was inappropriate then you may have some grounds.
We also had the fire brigade / council etc called. Some people just don’t have anything better to do with their time.
I just pity them, it’s sad that’s how they choose to live when there are so many better things to do with our short time in this beautiful world
We had similar neighbours, they used to record us. Our other neighbour was a police officer, asked him and unfortunately they are allowed to record so long as it’s not directed into private rooms ie bedroom / bathroom. He did say if it made the kids uneasy or concerns it was inappropriate then you may have some grounds.
We also had the fire brigade / council etc called. Some people just don’t have anything better to do with their time.
I just pity them, it’s sad that’s how they choose to live when there are so many better things to do with our short time in this beautiful world